London home for star of X-Files

She is one of the world's richest actresses who could live anywhere in the world - but X-Files star Gillian Anderson has plumped for a flat above a graffiti-covered bookies in Portobello Road.

Anderson, 33, who commanded £3million a series for her role as Agent Scully in X-Files, has paid £ 1.4million for a four-bedroom apartment at the less fashionable end of the market street, yards from the famous front door featured in the film Notting Hill. She set about flat hunting in January, finally moving into her new home last month.

Locals, used to meetings on the street with long-term residents such as Robbie Williams and Sinead O'Connor, yesterday seemed unimpressed by the new arrival.

A member of staff at the betting shop under the star's flat said: "We've heard she lives upstairs, but we've not seen much of her. You get so used to famous faces. And half the people who have moved in recently are Americans, so she would not stick out that much anyway."

One local housing agent consulted by the actress said: "She was prepared to pay around £1.75 million but was anxious that it should also suit her seven-year-old daughter, Piper."

Anderson is to star in Michael Weller's new play, What The Night Is For, having first developed a taste for West End theatre when she lived in London as a child.